Local service

I have always enjoyed the benefits of belonging to a library.  Over the years I have used it mainly for borrowing books but many people use it for studying from their reference books, borrowing dvds, reading the daily newspaper and now-a-days for connecting to the internet.  I used to be a frequent visitor, particularly when I was looking for information on a particular subject, or a place we were hoping to visit while away on holiday. It does seem that modern technology has become more the norm, partly because you don't even have to go out of the house to find the information you are looking for and books can so easily be available online to read or to buy.  And after all, using less paper means cutting down less trees and in turn benefiting the planet.  And so in these days of cut backs many libraries in less populated areas are facing an uncertain future.  I must admit to feeling that if our local library closed, I probably wouldn't miss it, at least not that much.  I would cope fine without it. 

This week, I needed to copy a letter I had received, sign the copy and return it to the sender.  I switched on my printer/copier only to discover that the copier was not working properly.  Oh, no, not now when I needed it.  So I got ready and went into town.  First of all I went to a street where I knew there was a small business that did all that sort of stuff - copying, faxing etc for a small charge.  But when I got there, the said business was no longer in business.  Instead there was a beauty salon!  So I made my way to the library - dear old faithful public service and yes, getting a copy was no problem.  When I asked how much it was the librarian told me that the person before me had put too much money in the box and so my copy was already paid for.  It made me feel a little bit guilty of my previous thoughts and instead I said a silent 'thank you' for a service that is still available for my use, even if I don't use it quite so often.